Push button switch



Sept. 6, 1960 N. FRANTZ ETAL 2,951,926

PUSH BUTTON SWITCH Filed Oct. 2, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 is j IELE- -E 34 20 :Ellza- ..E

2 INVENTOR.

NICHOLAS FRANTZ '70 BY STANLEY GLOVIAK I FINN G. OLSEN ATTORNEY Sept. 6, 1960 N. FRANTZ ET AL PUSH BUTTON SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 001;. 2, 1958 United States Patent PUSH BUTTON swrrcn Nicholas Frantz, Skokie, and Stanley Gloviak, Westchester, Ill., assignors to Carter Parts Company, Skokie, 111., a corporation of Ilinois Filed Oct. 2, 1958, Ser. No. 764,938

19 Claims. (Cl. 200-159) impnoved push button switch which is constructed and arranged so that various elements are secured or locked in place in a most effective manner for assembling the same and from which optimum results of the push button switch can be obtained when in use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved push button switch of the foregoing character wherein a dielectric molded plastic body is employed. for mounting the various spring contact elements in a predetermined spaced relation, said bodybeing constructed and arranged to assure that such elements will remain in their mounted positions when in use.

' It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved push button switch of the foregoing character which has another dielectric member for retaining spring contact elements in their mounted positions anda sleeve is provided for carrying a push button element for limited axialmovement, and means are providedfor clamping the sleeve, and the dielectric members together to form a simple, sturdy and unitary body.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a push button switch of the foregoing character wherein the sleeve, the insulating members and the clamping means can be used interchangeably with electrical contact elements of various sizes and shapes for making either normally open or normally closed switches or variations thereof, thereby providing greater application and standardization of parts resulting, in a lower cost of production.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following-description and appended claims,'reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of thisspecification wherein like reference characters designate correspondingparts in the several views.

Figurel isa sectional view of a normally open push button switchembodying one form of the present invention; '7

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the embodiment illustrated-inFigure 1; w Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the normal positions of the electrical components of the push button switch illustrated in 'Figures ,1 and2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a normally closed push button switch illustrating another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is an end elevation of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4;

Figure 6 isa schematic diagram showing the normal position of the electrical components of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5;

; Figure 7 is a sectional; view of anormally closed and 'ice I normally opened push button switch embodying another form of the present invention;

Figure 8 is an end elevational view with a portion broken away of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the normal positions of the electrical components of the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8.

Before explaining the present invention indetail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring now to the drawings, a description of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, will be given. The push button switch 10 includes the insulator or insulating member 12 which is a molded phenolic and has a central opening or passageway 14 with slots 16 formed in the inner walls thereof. The one end of the insulator or insulating element 12 has two diametrically opposed radially extending notches 18 which are substantially in a common plane and which extend between the opening for passageway 14 and the outer surface. The notches are of sufiicient width and depth to receive intermediate portions of spring contact elements 20 and 22. It is to be observed that when these spring contact elements 20 and 22 are positioned in the notches 18, their upper surfaces are substantially flush with the end surface of the insulating element 12, and thus, they are substantially in a common plane.

As can be seen by reference to Figure l, the spring contact elements 20 and 22 are U-shaped members which straddle. the end wall of the insulator or insulating element 12 with the intermediate portions of each contact element fitting into the notches 18. One side of each of the elements 20 and 22 extends externally of the insulator or insulatingelement 12, and these sides have apertured end portions 24 and 26, respectively, which function as electrical terminals. ments 20 and 24 extend into the opening or passageway 14 and converge'toward the axis thereof so that they will be in the path of axial movement of push button element 28.

As previously stated, the intermediate portions of spring contact elements 24 and 22 areof sufficient width to completely fill the notches 18. This assures that the ele ments 20 and 22 will not shift laterally. This widened portion extends into the passageway 14 substantially to the other end of the insulator or insulating member 12. The wide portion is split longitudinally into three longitudinal segments. The center ones are identified respectively by the reference numbers 30 and 32, which form the spring contact arms that are engaged by the push button element 28. The side segments 34 fit into the slots 16 in the inner wall of the passageway 14, and are crirnped, as can be seen best in Figure 1, in order to resiliently retain themselves in a fixed position within the slots 16. The spring contact elements 20 and 22 are inserted into the position illustrated in Figure 1, by sliding the segments 34 into the slots 16 from the left end of the insulator or insulating member 12, as viewed in Figure 1. When fully inserted, only the free ends of the spring arms 30 and 32 can be moved and the contact elements 20 and 22 are retained in a very stable position.

The spring contact elements 20 and 22 are retained in V position by the insulating member-or element 36 which is seated on the flat end of the insulating element or in j sulator 12. When in this position it blocks the open side The other sides, respectively, of elegiven.

of the notches 18 in which the spring contact elements 20 and 22 are fitted. Positioned over the insulating element or member 36 is the externally threaded sleeve 38 which has a clamp 4i integrally attached thereto as at 42. The clamp 44) has tongues 44 which are clinched over the shoulders 46 of the insulating member or insulator 12. Thus, the sleeve 38, the insulating members 36 and 12 are secured together as an integral unit, and the insulating members 36 and 12 then form an insulating means with laterally directed openings therein bounded by the walls of the notches i3 and the adjacent surface of the member 36 for holding the intermediate portions of the contact elements 20 and 22.

Extending axially through the sleeve 38 and into the passageway 14 is the push button element 28. The one end of the push button element 28 has an enlarged head 30 which provides a shoulder adapted to engage the remote end of the sleeve 38 to limit the axial movement of the push button element 28 in one direction. At an intermediate point in the length of the push button element 28 is a shoulder 50 against which a coil spring 52 is seated. The coil spring seats at its opposite end on the insulating member 36 thereby tending to urge the push button element 28 to the left, as viewed in Figure l. The coil spring 52 is prevented from displacing the push button element 28 from the sleeve 38 by means of the snap ring 54 which is fitted into an annular groove in the body of the push button element 28. The ring 54 has a greater outer diameter than the diameter of the opening 56 in the insulating member 36, thereby limiting the axial movement of the push button element 28 to the left. The push button element 28 includes still another snap ring 58 mounted near the end of the body of the push button element 28 in a second annular groove. The ring 58 is electrically conductive and is located so that when the push button element is pushed against the remote end of the sleeve 38, the ring 58 will be in engagement with the contact portions 30 and 32 of the spring contact elements 29 and 22, and a circuit will then be closed between spring contact elements 20 and 22 via the electrically conductive ring 58. Thus, the push button switch 10 is normally in an open position, as illustrated in Figure 3 in the schematic diagram, and when the push button element 28 is depressed, a circuit will be closed between the electric terminals 24 and 26.

Referring now to Figures 4, and 6, a brief description of the second embodiment of the invention will be This embodiment of the invention employs all of the same parts as were used in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, except that diiferent spring contact elements are employed. Common reference numbers are used for all component parts that are the same, In this embodiment of the invention, the contact portions 60 and 62, respectively, of the spring contact elements 64 and 66 are shaped so that they will be in engagement with the electrically conductive ring 58 of the push button element 28 when the latter is in is normal position to the extreme left as shown in Figure 4. Thus, this push button switch is normally closed. When the push button element is depressed to the right until the head 48 engages the remote end of the sleeve 38, the electrically conductive ring 58 will disengage from the contact portion 60 thereby opening the circuit between the electric terminals 68 and 7i). This can be seen by reference to Figure 6 which'shows a schematic diagram of the electrical components when the push button switch is in its normally closed position. Depressing the push button element 28 will result in the electric circuit being opened between the electric terminals 68 and 70.

Referring now to Figures 7, 8 and 9, inclusive, a description will be given of the third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment of the present invention also uses several common elements with those used in the two embodiments previously described, and common reference numerals are employed. The push button switch 80 may be termed a normally closed and normally opened push button switch. It has the same member 36 and coil spring 52 as were used in the other two embodiments. The insulating member 82 has been modified to include as an integral part thereof the extension leg 84 on which a shunt terminal 86 is mounted at its intermediate portion by a rivet 88. Extending from the insulating member 82 is the terminal 90, and the other end of the shunt terminal or spring contact element 86 has a resilient arm portion 90 which is engaged by the conductive ring 58. In this embodiment of the invention the contact portion 92 of the spring contact element 94 is normally in engagement with the electrically conductive ring 58, whereas the contact portion 96 of the spring contact element 98 is normally out of engagement with the electrically conductive ring 58. The contact portion of the spring contact element 86 is normally in contact with the ring 58 and remains in contact with the ring 58 throughout the total axial movement of the push button element 28. Thus, in the normal position of the push button switch 80, a circuit is closed between the electric terminal 100 of spring contact element 94 and the shunt terminal 90 and an open circuit exists between the shunt terminal 90 and the electric terminal 10?. of the spring contact element 98. This can be seen in Figure 9. When the push button element 28 is depressed, a circuit will be opened between the terminals 100 and 90 because the electric conductive ring 58 will then disengage from the contact portion 92, and the ring will then engage the contact portion 96, thereby closing a circuit between the terminals 90 and 102.

From the foregoing it can be seen that a simple push button switch has been devised which can readily bemanufactured as a normally open switch, a normally closed switch, or a switch employing features of both. The component parts can be readily assembled so as to provide a push button switch having minimum overall dimensions by virtue of the fact that a plurality of the spring contact elements can be mounted with their supports in a common plane thereby avoiding waste space which otherwise would occur when insulating one from another. Furthermore, standard parts can be used throughout the various arrangements of the push button switch thereby assuring minimum production costs.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A push button switch comprising insulator means having a longitudinal passageway therethrough and a pair of spaced laterally directed openings therein, a pair of spring contact elements each having an intermediate portion supported respectively in said pair of openings, one end of each contact element extending laterally from said insulator means to form a terminal and the other end of each contact element extending into said passageway, a push button element mounted in said insulator and re tained for limited axial movement in said passageway, said push button element having an electrically conductive portion engageable with the other ends of said contact elements in selected positions of axial movement of the push button element.

2. A push button switch as defined in claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive portion of said push button element normally is out of engagement with both said contact elements.

3. A push button switch as defined in claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive portion of said push button element normally engages both said contact elements.

4. A push button switch as defined in claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive portion of said push button element normally is out of engagement with one of said contact elements and engages the other contact element.

5'. A push button switch comprising an insulator having a central opening therethrough, a pair of spring contact elements each having an intermediate portion supported on one end of said insulator, said portions being generally in a common plane and in spaced relation to one another, one end of each contact element extending from said insulator to form a terminal and the other end of each contact element extending into said central opening, an annular insulating element overlying the intermediate portions of said contact elements and the one end of said insulator, a sleeve positioned over said insulating element in registry with the opening thereof, said sleeve carrying a clamp which has portions engaging said insulator for securing said sleeve, said insulating element and said insulator togethe ga push button' elementextending through'the secured parts for limited axial movement and having an electricallvconductive portion in engagement with bothof the other ends of said contact elements in one of the positionsof movementpsaid electrically conductive portion being out of engagement with at least one of said contact elements'in another position of movement,and a spring'retained in'compression between said push button element and one of said secured parts for urging the push button to one of its positions of movement. s

6. A push button switch as defined in claim 5 wherein the spring normally urges the push button element to a position wherein the electrically conductive portion is out ofrengagement with both said contact elements.

7. A push button switch as defined in claim 5 wherein the spring normally urges the push button element to a position wherein the electrically conductive portion engages both contact elements.

8. A push button switch comprising an insulator having a central opening therethrough, a plurality of spring contact elements supported by intermediate portions on said insulator, at least two of said contact elements having their intermediate portions in a common plane on one end of said insulator, one end of each of said plurality of spring contact elements extending from said insulator to form a terminal and the other end of each contact element extending into said central opening, an annular insulating element civerlying the intermediate portions of said two contact elements and one end of said insulator, a sleeve positioned over said insulating element in registry with the opening thereof, means clamping said sleeve, said insulating element and said insulator together, a push button element extending through the clamped parts for limited axial movement and having an electrically conductive portion in engagement with at least two of said plurality of spring contact elements in one position of axial movement, said electrically conductive portion being out of engagement with at least one of the last named two spring contact elements in another position of axial movement, and spring means for urging said push button element to one of said positions of movement.

9. A push button switch as defined in claim 8 wherein the spring means normally urges the push button element to a position wherein the electrically conductive portion is out of engagement with two of said plurality of contact elements.

10. A push button switch as defined in claim 8 wherein the spring means normally urges the push button element to a position wherein the electrically conductive portion engages two of said plurality of contact elements.

11. A push button switch as defined in claim 8 wherein the spring means normally urges the push button element to a position wherein the electrically conductive portion engages two of said plurality of contact elements, and in said other position of axial movement said electrically conductive portion engages one of the first named two elements and another of said plurality of contact elements.

12. A push button switch comprisingta pair of insulating members positioned in abutting relation and having a passageway therethrough, one of said insulating members having a pair of inwardly directed spaced notches formed in its abutting surface, a pair of spring contact elements each having an intermediate portion supported respectively between said insulator members in said notches, one end of each contact element extending from said insulator members to form an electric terminal and the other end extending into said passageway, a sleeve member positioned over one end of said insulating members in registry with the passageway therein, means clamping said sleeve member and said insulating members together, a push button element extending through the clamped members and having portions adapted to engage in abutting relation with corresponding portions of said insulating members for limiting axial movement of the push button element in both directions, said push button element having an electrically conductive portion in engagement with both of the other ends of said contact elements one position of axial movement and out of engagement with at least one of said contact elements in another position of axial movement, and spring means between said push button element and said members for urging thepush button element to one of said positions.

13; A push button switch comprising a pair of insulating members positioned in abutting relation and having a passageway therethrough, one of said insulating members having "a pair of inwardly directed spaced notches formed inyits abutting surface, a pair of spring contact elements each having an intermediate portion supported respectively between "said insulator members in said notches, one end of each contact element extending from said insulator members to form an electric terminal and the other end extending into said passageway, one of said insulator members having slots formed in the Walls of the passageway and the other end of each contact element having segments fitting into said slots for assisting in retaining the contact elements in place, a sleeve member positioned over one end of said insulating members in registry with the passageway therein,

means clamping said sleeve member and said insulating members together, a push button element extending through the clamped members and having portions adapted to engage in abutting relation with corresponding portions of said insulating members for limiting axial movement of the push button element in both directions, said push button element having an electrically conductive portion in engagement with both of the other ends of said contact elements in one position of axial movement and out of engagement with at least one of said contact elements in another position of axial movement, and spring means between said push button element and said members for urging the push button element to one of said positions.

14. In a push button switch having an externally threaded sleeve member for mounting the switch comprising a pair of insulating members positioned in abutting relation and having a passageway therethrough in registry with said sleeve at least apair of spring contact elements each having an intermediate portion retained between said insulator members in spaced relation with respect to one another, one end of each contact element extending from said insulator members to form an electric terminal and the other end extending into said passageway, means clamping saidsleeve member and said insulating members together, a push button element extending through the clamped members and having a shoulder adapted to engage the remote end of said sleeve member to limit the extent to which the push button element can move in one direction in said passageway and having a snap ring thereon adapted to engage a portion of one of said members to limit the extent to which the push button element can move in the other direction, said push button element including an electrically conductive ring engageable with each of said other ends of said contact elements in selected positions of axial movement, and spring means urging the shoulder of said push button element away from the remote end of said sleeve member.

15. In a push button switch as defined in claim 14, said conductive ring normally being out of engagement with at least one of said contact elements and on moving the push button element against said spring means to the other limit of its axial movement said conductivering then engaging both said contact elements.

16. In a push button switch as defined in claim 14, said conductive ring normally engaging both said contact elements and on moving the push button element against said spring means -to the other limit of its axial movement said conductive ring then being disengaged from at least one of said contact elements.

17. In a push button switch as defined inclaim 14, said conductive ring normally engaging one of said contact elements and a third contact element in one position of axial movement of the plug element, and on moving the plug element against said spring means to the other limit of its axial movement said conductive ring then engaging the other contact element vand said third contact element.

18. A push button switch comprisinga pair of insulating members positioned in abutting relation and having a passageway therethrough, one of said insulating members having two inwardly directed notches formed in its abutting surface, two spring contact elements each having an intermediate portion mounted in said notches, one end of each contact element extending from said insulator members to form an electrical terminal and the other end extending into said passageway, a sleeve member positioned over one end of said insulating members in registry with the passage therein, means clamping said sleeve member and said insulating members together, a push button element extending through the clamped members and retained for limited axial movement, said push button element having an electrically conductive portion engageable with one of said contact elements when in one position of axial movement and with the other of said contact elements when in another position of axial movement, a third contact element having an intermediate portion 7 mounted on one of said insulating members with one end forming a shunt terminal and the, other end extending into said passageway into engagement with said electrically conductive portion in either position of axial movement of said plug element, and spring means to urge said push button element to one position of axial movement.

19. A push button switch as defined in claim 18 wherein said third contact element is mounted on an integral leg extending from one of said insulating members.

References Cited in the file this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,526,061 'Batcheller Oct. 17, 1950 

